Diversity, Inclusivity, Equity and Belonging in Rakuten Asia

Supporting Diversity and Inclusivity at Rakuten

At Rakuten, we strive to champion awareness around LGBTQ+ acceptance and encourage dialogues on diversity which includes gender, race, ethnicity, religions, age and disabilities.  These are some of the ways that Rakuten supports its employees. 

Support for LGBTQ+ Employees

Rakuten has had strong support for the LGBTQ+ community since 2016, known for its corporate efforts to empower employees of all genders and sexualities. 

Rakuten’s efforts to promote inclusivity of LGBTQ+ employees and allies includes  endorsing the Business Support for LGBT Equality in Japan declaration aimed at enacting an LGBT Equality Act, establishing multi-purpose toilets available to all employees regardless of gender, and including the same company benefits for same-sex partners. Our ‘Rakuten LGBTQ+ Network’ community also promotes awareness among employees through open seminars and training to address issues affecting LGBTQ+ individuals.  

Last year, Rakuten held an online parade in line with Pride Month to demonstrate support for the LGBTQ+ community. The “Walk Together with Pride” initiative raised awareness and expressed solidarity through colourful and creative drawings sent in by the community, celebrating Pride Month 2021 even amidst the pandemic. 

Support for Female Employees and Parents

Rakuten aims to create an environment for employees of all genders to achieve their full potential. Through support networks and equal evaluation systems, employees are empowered to develop their careers in ways that suit them best. 

We also strive to build a positive employee experience for parents and parents-to-be, especially during an unprecedented and challenging year for employees with caregiving duties. To promote a healthy work-life balance, the “Rakuten Family Empowerment Network” holds seminars to provide support and ensure a smooth return to work for staff on maternity and childcare leave, helping parents manage both work and childrearing duties.

To support the balance between careers and parenting, Rakuten has an in-house childcare center to support the mothers and fathers among our employees, so that parents can feel more positive about coming back to work. 

 Support for Elderly Employees

Rakuten values our elderly employees' expertise and skills and regards them as vital resources. We have a re-employment scheme in place to allow employees who are keen to work after their mandatory retirement to continue working at Rakuten. 

Support for Disable Employees

Rakuten Socio Business, Inc. was founded in 2007 to support employees with disabilities, by providing a productive and welcoming working environment suited to their needs. 

Rakuten Socio Business conducts a variety of essential tasks for Rakuten, including data maintenance, business improvement, and website maintenance. At the same time, Rakuten Socio Business also contributes to many other aspects of Rakuten, including cultivating vegetables at an indoor farm that supplies the staff cafeteria. 

As a result, the employment rate of persons with disabilities at Rakuten has been at 2.4% since 2015, far exceeding Japan’s legally-required disability employment rate. 

Through these initiatives, Rakuten shows its continuous and unwavering support for employees by promoting a strong understanding of diversity and inclusivity at Rakuten. We aim to build a safe and supportive workplace for all individuals to feel comfortable in their own skin and actively contribute without fear of discrimination or prejudice.